Exploring the Impact of Electronic Health Records Systems on the Performance of a Healthcare Organisation-A Qualitative Study in Ghana

Introduction: The application of the Electronic Health Record System has been extensively acknowledged as an instrument by healthcare establishments to increase efficiency, operational effectiveness and successfully boost revenue generation.

Aim: This study aimed at empirically appraising the impact of electronic health record system on the performance of Pentecost Hospital in Madina in the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality in the Greater-Accra Region of Ghana.

Methodology: The study adopted a qualitative approach with a case study design. In-depth interviews and a focus group discussion of a total of thirty-five (35) respondents including ten (10) key informants of the Pentecost Hospital were purposely selected to participate in the study due to their role in the implementation of electronic health records system in the facility.

Results and Discussions: The study revealed that frequent loss of data, inadequate knowledge in the management of the system, desire to improve upon work efficiency, longing to have easy access to health records of patients, intermittent waste of client or beneficiary time were among the main factors that led to the introduction of the Electronic Health Record System. The study also identified simplification of activities of the various departments of the hospital, improvement in clients’ satisfaction, reduction in waiting time and speed delivery of healthcare, storage of information being faster and lasting, improvement in revenue generation of the hospital and improvement in quality healthcare delivering as some of the effects of the introduction of electronic patient record management on healthcare delivery at the Pentecost Hospital in Accra.

Conclusion: It is imperative to mention that efficient electronic health record system which is geared towards efficient quality healthcare provision would flourish when parity, effectiveness, efficiency and responsiveness of resource utilisation for quality healthcare are considered as the building blocks.